Ironing board



H. B. FAY

IRONING BOARD 4 July 27, 1943.

Filed Oct. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. B. FAY

IRONING BOARD July 27, 1943.

Filed Oct. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 27, 1943. H. B. FAY

IRONING BOARD s Sheets-Sheet s Filed Oct. 16, 1940 almfi Patented July 27, 1943 IRONIN G BOARD Horace B. Fay, Willoughby,

Gridiron Steel Com corporation of Ohio Ohio, assignor to pany, Cleveland, Ohio, at

Application October 16, 1940, Serial No. 361,466

3 Claims;

This invention relates to improvements in fireproof material ironing boards. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved board consisting of separate frame and top elements adapted to permit independent manufacture and convenient assembly into a composite and complete ironing board of fire-proof construction, inexpensive cost and long life.

One of the principal purposes of the invention is to provide a composite board structure in which various types of tops may be interchangeably assembled with a single rigid inexpensive frame. By the utilization of such a frame manufacture of either a standard board or an electrically heated board can be accomplished with a minimum of parts and in which the assembly and manufacturing costs are greatly reduced.

A further purpose is to provide a fire-proof ironing board adapted by the nature of the structural arrangement for the inclusion as a part or all of the board surface of a panel containing electric heating elements extending longitudinally of the board and throughout its width.

A further object is to provide an ironing board of the type described, the structure of which combines factors of convenient light weight and competent strength, together with an essential safety factor, namely, the elimination of fire hazard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire-proof board having a frame of such rigidity and strength independent of any strength that may be imparted thereto by the panel, so as to reinforce the frame against warping, bending or twisting. The strains and stresses which an ironing table must meet are well known and it is particularly important that the board be of such strength to withstand bending and twisting strains particularly at the unsupported overhanging toe portion.

By its structural formation the present metal frame is peculiarly adapted, as hereinafter indicated, to provide both adequate strength at the lateral edges of the board and longitudinal rigidity particularly in the overhanging end.

Still a further object is to provide independent panels which are seated in the frame and possess inherent strength, thus complementtomary average weight of the old-fashioned wooden board and by the demand for convenient mobility imposed by feminine users. Strength requirements to meet both transverse and longitudinal bending strains are high, and yet these must be met while remaining within the limits imposed by acceptable weight. Die formations and assembly procedure make the manufacture of metal boards expensive so that in order to manufacture the board within a range that is not prohibitive, simplicity of manufacture and assembly is essential. Finally, fire-proof structures in ironing boards are. highly desirable since it is well known that fires due to overheated irons used with wooden ironing boards constitute about fifty percent of the fires occurring annually in the country.

The ironing board of the present invention meets the foregoing requirements by employing a simple panel frame structure, reducing to a minimum manufacturing and assembly operation, and yet permits the substitution of a number of panel structures including both standard and electrically heated panel members.

To the accomplishment of these ends my invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the principle of this invention.

In the annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing board with the frame supported by a set of folding legs and with the top disassembled for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 2 is a. bottom plan view of the frame showing transverse reinforcing channel irons secured thereto.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the frame in Fig. 2, showing the shoulder for supporting the panel in countersunk position and with the transverse channel irons omitted.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 3 but shown as supporting a panel within an enclosing envelope, which envelope is provided with extensions passing to a point beneath the frame ing in ironing stiffness the structural rigidity of the frame.

Developments in the art of metal ironing table tops are restricted to certain generally accepted ironing board standards which must be met. Ironing boards must not be above a certain weight, about ten pounds, determined by the cusand secured thereto by means of laces.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a panel provided with longitudinal angle irons for reinforcing the same.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the panel of Fig. 5 and showing the panel mounted in the frame.

Figs. 7 and} are fragmentary sections showing a modified form of panel structure carried within the frame.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of Fig. '7 and showing the perforations therein.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section showing still another type of panel that may be employed.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of a. frame provided with both longitudinal and transverse reinforcing members.

Figs. 12 and 13 are transverse sections showing panels composed of resinous material, the latter figure illustrating the mounting of electrical heating elements within the panel.

Fig. 14 shows another type of panel modification.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the panel shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary transverse section of a panel of resinous material having integral depending reinforcing ribs.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing a means for removably securing the panel in the frame.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown an ironing table comprising a frame 20 supported by folding legs 2i and into which a panel 22 is adapted to fit.

The ironing board is shown as of conventional design and is supported so that the forward or toe portion of the board is unsupported in order that garments to be pressed may be slipped thereover.

The frame 20 comprises a head portion 23 which, together with the panel 22, makes up the upper surface of the ironing table. The frame is reinforced by means of transverse channel irons 24 which are suitably secured to the sides of the frame as by welding, riveting or the like.

The frame .20 includes the head portion 23 hereinbefore mentioned and 9. depending rim 25 extending completely around the board at the edge thereof. The head 23 is likewise provided with an inner depending flange 25 which is pro vided with a supporting shoulder 27, and the lower edges of. the flange 26 and rim 25 are rolled together as at 28 to provide a reinforcing bead 'extending continuously around the lower edge of the board.

The shoulder 2'5 supports the panel 22 and in order that the surface of the board may be flush it is, of course, necessary to offset the shoulder 2'! a distance equal to the thickness of the metal of the panel, or so that the surface of the panel is flush with the head frame.

The frame 20 may be produced by rolling continuous strips of narrow thin sheet metal intc the cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 3, after which the depending rim and flange may be rolled together as at 28 to form a tubular element. This element may be cut into suitable lengths, bent to form the frame of desired configuration, and the abutting ends thereof welded or otherwise secured together.

The depth of the tube-like one-piece frame should be substantial, for the rigidity and resistance to torsional strains are directly related to the depth of the rim flanges.

It will thus be seen that in all forms of the present invention a continuous, integral, tubular shell is provided which in itself possesses considerable inherent rigidity, and it is to be understood that where the panel members themselves are reinforced to possess inherent rigidity in themselves, the use of a frame such as shown in Fig. 3 and without transverse or longitudinal reinforcements may be employed. It is preferable, however, to sufficiently reinforce the frame as shown in Fig. 2 or as shown in Fig. 11, wherein the frame is provided with the transverse reinforcing channel irons and also with channel irons 29 which are secured to the frame in any suitable manner, such as by welding, riveting and the like.

In the form shown in Fig. 11 it is to be understood that where the transverse and longitudinal reinforcing elements 24 and 29 intersect, one or the other thereof may be notched to accommodate the companion reinforcing member. This form of joining is believed to be well known and no showing of the same is required.

As stated heretofore, where the panel is of' sufficient inherent rigidity to withstand ironing strains, it is not necessary to particularly reinforce the frame, but since it is contemplated by the present invention that the panel 22 may be either of sheet metal without any reinforcements or of a synthetic resinous material, it is to be understood that the frame should be provided with necessary rigidity to prevent distortion of the non-reinforced panels.

From the foregoing it is obvious that by utilizing a frame that is either reinforced or nonreinforced, the panel structures which can be used therewith may assume various forms so long as they are capable of withstanding the strains imposed thereon during the ironing operation and during handling and shipment of the board.

Since the fire hazard is so well recognized in the ironing operation, the present invention contemplates either a metallic sheet panel or a panel of resinous or other suitable fire-proof material. Compositions of the various formaldehyde resins are believed to be satisfactory, and the metal panel may be composed of sheet material which is so thin as to be incapable of sustaining the ironing weight while maintaining a flat surface, and in such instances the sheet metal must be reinforced to impart thereto the necessary rigidity.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a panel provided with longitudinally extending angle irons 30 which are riveted or suitably secured to the under surface of the panel. a

In Fig. 6 the panel is shown as mounted in the frame with the depending edges 3| of the angle irons 30 resting on the shoulder 27, but the angle members may be positioned so that they do not extend to the forward and rear edges of the board, in which event the panel 22 will rest on the shoulder 21 with the angle irons depending therebelow and imparting rigidity thereto against longitudinal bending strains, it being understood that in such case the shoulder 21 will be elevated to an extent that it will support the panel flush with the frame head 23.

In Fig. 7 a further form of panel construction is shown. In this construction the panel consists of a flat, relatively thin upper sheet 32 and a corrugated lower sheet 33 having the crests of the corrugations resting on the under surface of the upper sheet 32 and secured thereto by welding or in any other suitable manner.

Where it is desired to provide ventilation in a board of the type shown in Fig. 7, the crests of the corrugations are provided with apertures 34 and the upper sheet 32 is .perforated at points in alignment with the perforations 34, with the metal of the upper sheet being pushed through the perforations 34 and peened over as at 35 and 4| are embedded in the board structure in which a fiat sheet 44.

engaging the under surface of the lower sheet 33. By this construction not only is the board perforated but the space between the sheets 32 and 33 is sealed so as to prevent ingress of any moisture thereto and consequent rusting of the board.

In the form shown in Fig. 7 the edges of the panel may be welded or otherwise secured as at 36, it'being understood that in this form the shoulder 21 is depressed from the plane of the head 23 to an extent equal to the thickness of the combined sheets 33 and 34 at their edges.

In Fig. 8 there is disclosed a further form in which the lower sheet 33 is provided with longitudinally extending ribs 31 which extend throughout substantially the length of the panel and which have the webs between the corrugations welded or otherwise secured to the under surface of the top sheet 32.

In Fig. still a further modification of the panel structure is illustrated. In this form there is provided a corrugated metal sheet 38 over which is molded the resinous material as at 39, the resinous material flowing into the corrugations and adhering to the lower sheet 38 so that a composite resinous and metal panel is provided. When desired for ventilating purposes, the metal sheet 38 and the resinous sheet 39 may be provided with aligned perforations 40, the perforations being preferably located at the upper crests of the corrugations.

In Fig. 12 there is shown a resinous panel structure without any reinforcements, it being understood that in this panel the thickness thereof is determined entirely by the necessity for withstanding the strains that are imposed thereon during the ironing operation and in the handling and shipment of the board.

In Fig. 13 there is disclosed another form of panel which may be either of a resinous material or of a sheet of metal. In this form, which illus-- trates a panel that is to be electrically heated and where resinous material is used, metal tubes by molding the resinous material thereabout and the tubes 4| receive electric heating wires 42 which may be suitably insulated.

It will be understood that synthetic resinous materials lend themselves admirably to the use as a panel substance due to the fire-proof characteristics thereof and the fact that they possess considerable strength in relation to their weight. Furthermore, the molded panel eliminates any further surface treatment in order to provide a smooth, fiatironing surface. Polishing thereof is not required nor is it necessarythat expensive enamels orpaints be applied thereto.

In Figs. 14 and I have illustrated a panel upper sheet 44 is provided and the lower sheet 45 is provided with spaced buttons pressed out of the plane of the sheet 45 and contacting the lower surface of the upper sheet 44. This panel may likewise be provided with aligned perforations extending through the bottom and top sheet and has the buttons of the lower sheet welded or otherwise secured at their points of contact with the upper Both the upper and lower sheets 44 and 45 are provided with depending peripheral flanges 46 and 41 which are rolled together as at 48 to form a reinforcing bead extending around the periphery of the panel.

It is to be noted that in connection with the form of invention shown in Figs. 14 and 15,

of the panel is to be suchthat when it is placed upon the shoulder 31 the upper surface of the panel will lie flush with the frame head 23. Consequently, due to the fact that the panel as an entirety is relatively thin, the buttons can be drawn or pressed to the required depth without undue strain on the metal.

Fig. 16 illustrates a further type of resinous panel structure in which longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 43 are molded integrally with the panel, but it is to be understood that the ribs 43 may extend also in a transverse direction or that both. longitudinal and transverse integral ribs may be formed during the molding operation.

In all of the forms of panel herein disclosed it is essential that means be providedv for removably securing the same to the frame and one form of such securing means is disclosed in Fig. 17, in which the panel 20 is provided with a depending lug 43 which may be integral with the panel or which may be a separate clip secured thereto.

Mounted in position to cooperate with the lug 49 isa latch 50 pivoted at 51 for rotation thereabout. The nose 52 of the latch is adapted when in one position to lie on top of the lug 49 and to thereby secure the panel against displacement.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 4 the same type of frame is employed as is shown in Fig. 1; the panel 20 as shown in this figure may be any of the panel structures heretofore described but in this case the panel is carried in the ironing pad which is formed of an upper sheet of textile material 53 and a lower sheet of textile material 54 suitably'secured together as by means of stitching at 55.

The upper and lower sheets 53 and 54 are spaced to form an envelope into which the panel members 20 may be fitted, and the panel and fibrous coverings may then be seated on the shoulder 21 so that the panel hes substantially flush with the frame head'23, it being understood that the pad into which the panel is fitted may consist of any number of plies of material and that any unevenness in the joint between the panel and frame will be taken up by said padd the height Extensions der sheet 54 by means 0! 56 and 51 are provided on the unand the pad is secured to the board suitable lacing as shown at 58, al-

though it is to be understood that this combined pad and panel structure may be secured around the frame in any suitable manner.

It is to be understood that as many of these locking devices 'as may be required can be located at spaced points around the frame and that other forms may be resorted to without departing from the spirit. of the present invention.

In the forms of panel shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 14, it is to be understood that electric heating elements'may also be employed. In these cases the elements are disposed in the natural channels formed in the lower sheet and can: be distributed uniformly throughout the upper surface of the board. This is disclosed in United States 1 Patent No.,2,263,765, issued November 25, 1941.

be construed as covering similar forms so long nally thereof and extended substantially from end to end. v

2. In a compositeironing board a tube-like metal frame having a flat rim head forming the border only of said board and having an inwardly projecting shoulder, and a resinous panel having tubes embedded therein, said tubes housing heating wires, the said panel being located within the frame and resting on said shoulder.

3. In a composite ironing board a tube-like metal frame having an inwardly projecting shoulder, and a panel member in said frame and resting on said shoulder, said panel comprising a resinous sheet secured to a corrugated metal base. 7

. HORACE B. FAY. 

